Episode 8: Public Service That Moves the Needle with Damika Richardson

This week on Rooted in Impact, we explore what it truly means to live a life of service — across career, community, and family.

Host Ashley Gaudiano sits down with Damika Richardson, Associate Group Practice Manager at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Captain in the Air National Guard, for a conversation about leadership rooted in commitment and purpose. From overseeing operations within a federal healthcare system serving veterans to volunteering in her community and mentoring the next generation, Damika’s story highlights how public service can take many forms — and why it matters.

Together, they discuss the often-unseen leadership that keeps complex systems running, the lessons military service brings to civilian leadership, and the importance of modeling service for the next generation. As a mother, community volunteer, and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Damika shares how service isn’t confined to a title — it’s a mindset that shapes how we show up every day.

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to lead within institutions that support communities at scale, while staying grounded in local impact and personal responsibility.

This episode of Rooted in Impact is made possible by Newtown Savings Bank, whose long-standing commitment to Connecticut communities helps strengthen the partnerships and programs that allow individuals, families, and neighborhoods to thrive.